baltodave

Hi Everyone, In late September we are taking Mariner OTS from Port Canaveral on a Friday. We are flying into MCO (Orlando) the day before (Thursday) with our SWA flight arriving at 11:05 am. Of course, we are checking bags (it's an 8-night cruise). So I figure it will be at least noon before we can leave the airport (assuming the flight is on time). The question is should we book a MCO-area hotel or get a hotel near Port Canaveral (e.g. Cocoa Beach)? I look forward to everyone's 2 cents! Thanks!

Hi Everyone, We're taking Radiance on an Alaskan cruise in June and I'm looking for excursion ideas for Icy Strait Pt and Sitka (we already have excursions booked in Juneau & Skagway). In either of these stops, are there tour operators on the ground near where the ship docks? Any recommendations for these stops? BTW, it's just for me (I'll be 65) and my wife (61); both in decent shape. Thanks!

No, just the Mariner cruise.

What a great deal! First, we have 3 upcoming sailings: Radiance (Alaska in Jun '23), Mariner (Bermuda/Bahamas in Sep/Oct '23) and Rhapsody (RCB Group cruise at Panama Canal Mar '24). Just the Mariner sailing had this package. The system allowed me to just order one at 88.99 and when I called RC, the nice operator confirmed that I only had to purchase 1 (of course, I'm saving a screenshot) The only question is will the internet be "Surf & Stream" or just "Surf".

We did the same!

We booked this cruise (departing Colon 3/16/2024) last August. Looking forward to our first RCB group cruise.

We just booked one night (from hotels.com) at the English Bay Hotel. It was about $140 with taxes. They do not have shuttles but it doesn't appear to be that far from the port.

LOL! True! But SWA does not go to Alaska

I have found that when A2S gets you tickets on AA, you can pick seats (you do need the record locater number). However, with British Airways and Air Canada, you have to insist that A2S pay for or actually issue the tickets. We normally book our own flights when flying domestically (using SouthWest). However, for Europe or Alaska we use A2S.

Sadly, there are actually 2 bridges (the Key Bridge and the Bay Bridge) that are too low for Voyager class and larger to sail out of B-more.

We were recently on a 4-night Navigator cruise and they had the Quest as well. The only difference was that there were just 3 teams. That being said, it was a blast!

We, also are looking for a hotel to stay the night before our cruise departs Vancouver (in June 2023). We would like recommendations for a budget-friendly hotel (about $200-$250 for a night).

I really hope they are able to build or amp smaller ships in the future. This past summer, we took Rhapsody in the Greek/Adriatic seas. One of our favorite stops was in Montenegro and I don't see how "mega" ship could have navigated that harbor. Granted, I can see how the mega ships are great for families but if you aren't sailing with kids the smaller ships are great.

Unfortunately, it will also be in the 60s at Catalina Island and Ensenada Mexico.

We are taking a short 4-night cruise on Navigator the week after next (Dec 5-9) and the weather forecast is for temps to be just in the 60s. Does anyone know if the roof in the Solarium will be closed?

"Riff-Raff" LOL!!!

I was wondering.... We are going on Radiance OTS in June 2023. It departs Vancouver north-bound. Since the first US port of entry is Juneau, will we have to clear US Customs/Immigration there?

It is not punishment for going on an 8-night cruise. As @twangster pointed out, Miami is the first US port of entry after visiting a foreign port. That is why you need to clear customs/immigration there. The same rules apply if you're flying to the US from a foreign airport.

Thanks for your comments. We are hoping for good weather as well since we are going in June. We are currently booked in the window room and was just thinking about doing the RoyalUp (if it's not too much $$). It seems on the Vision and Radiance class ships, the balcony rooms are a lot more expensive since there aren't that many of them (compared to the newer ships). Also, we've booked the Mendenhall glacier/whale watching excursion in Juneau and the White Pass train in Skagway already.

First, for US domestic cruises, I have never used Air2Sea since I have so many SWA points (and use SWA to go to Florida and Texas). We recently used Air2Sea for a cruise that started in Athens Greece and ended in Ravenna Italy. They booked us on American to Athens (a few days before our cruise) and British home from Venice the day after our cruise. In some cases, they can get seats for you or you can do it yourself once you get the record locator numbers. In other cases (e.g. British) you have to prepay for the right to select seats ahead of time. We have an Alaska cruise next June and for that one, we used Air2Sea (they booked us on Air Canada to Vancouver and American home from Anchorage). In that case we were able to get seats on American as soon as we got the record locator. However, we couldn't get seats on Air Canada until the flights were paid for. For this itinerary, we won't be able to pay for luggage until we check in. I don't believe Shuttles are included. One more thing, watch your email for flight changes. For our Greek cruise, we had to deal with 2 cancellations and were not happy with how they rebooked us. I looked into better options and (working with Air2Sea) was able to make the changes I wanted. That being said, make sure you have the phone number to call during the day-of-travel so they can help you if you have any missed connections, etc.

Well, we have an "oceanview" (window) on deck 4. Odds are, if I'm successful with RoyalUp, we'll get a balcony on the left side. And, that would mean a higher deck. (I don't think there are any balconies on deck 4).

We have a "Oceanview" (i.e. window) on the right side of Radiance on a northbound Alaska cruise (Vancouver -> Seward) and already thinking about possible doing a "RoyalUp". So, I was wondering what peoples opinions were... What would you prefer for a Radiance-class ship doing a one-way Northbound Alaskan cruise (Vancouver to Seward): 1. Oceanview (i.e. window) stateroom on the right side of the ship 2. Balcony on left side of ship. Thanks!

We are taking Radiance to Alaska in June 2023. When booking this excursion in Skagway, we have the choice of 8am or 12 noon. We are scheduled to be in Skagway from 7am to 5pm. Which excursion should we book (8a or 12noon)?

(Apologies if this is in the wrong board) How does one book the shuttle to go from Seward (after disembarkation) to Anchorage?

Great point. I guess you have to watch out for the context! I've never been on a TA cruise but my TA has been very helpful!